N.Z. MINISTERS IN LONDON.

Otago Witness, Issue 3270, 15 November 1916, Page 38 (Supplement)

N.Z. MINISTERS IN LONDON.

HONOUR FOR MR MASSEY. (By Cable.) Tho freedom of tho city of London has boon com erred'on Mr Massey. Thero was a largo assembly at the Guildhall at tho ceremony. A detachment ol Now Zealanders formed a guard oi honour at the entrance. The Lord flavor and Aldermen received Mr Ma: .: ,y at tiie dias, on which were also all the High Commissioners and overseas Agents-general, Lord Desborough, Lord Balfour of Burleigh, Mr Bonar Law, mid Earl Grey. Ml" Adrian Pollock, the City Chamberlain, in presenting the freedom of the City to Mr Massey, said lie was the third oversea Premier who had received that honour since the outbreak of-the war. Mr Massey had played a magnificent part in the present crisis. New Zealand had made heavy sacrifices in a great cause. The corporation offered a warm welcome to the brave soldiers present at tho ceremony. They were typical of the splendid fighting force which upheld New Zealand's honour at Gallipoli, in Egypt, and in France. Air Pollock quoted Sir lan Hamilton's and Sir D. Haig's appreciations of their services, and also referred to the battle-cruiser New Zealand's brilliant services in the battle of Jutland. Ho handed Mr Massey tho freedom of the City enclosed in a gold casket. Mr Massey, in replying, said that as an Empire citizen he gloried in the work New Zealand had been able to accomplish, and in the brotherhood established between different parts of tho Empire. ENTERTAINED BY LORD MAYOR. Alter the ceremony the Lord Mayor entertained a large number of New Zealanders to luncheon at the Mnasion House, including Sir Joseph Ward and party, Sir T. Mackenzie and party, and other distinguished guests. The Lord Mayor, in proposing Mr Massey's health, said Mr Massey had thrown the whole of his high ability and great energy into tho determination that New Zealand should bear her full share of Empire defence. Mr Massey, in reply, said we were not fighting for aggrandisement, but the honour of the race, to which we belonged. He paid a tribute to tho splendid prowess of the Allies, and thanked the women of Britain for their Red Cross work, which had proved of great advantage in every part of the Empire. He especially thanked thc> British women for their kindness to our boys. It would never be forgotten. Earl Grey, in proposing the toast of tho Lord Mayor, said ho was proud to be associated in what was practically the conferment of tho freedom of the City on the peoplo of New Zealand. People who lived among the mountains were generally gifted above others with high national ideals. His recent visit to New Zealand confirmed that theory. The Lord Mayor, in thanking the company, said he ha.d visited Salisbury Plain, and had been struck by the magnificent cheerfulness of tho Australasian soldiers. MR MASSEY ON THE WAR. During the ceremony of conferring the freedom of the City of London on Mr Massey, at the Guild hall New Zealand soldiers filled the gallery and shouted their war cry. Mr Massey said the war had reached a most dangerous phase. He considered tho enemy, particularly their infantry, were becoming demoralised, and unquestionably wo were winning. But it was vita) to put our heart, soul, and strength into keeping up reinforcements of men and munitions. If wo were to fail in either respect it would.be a blunder, worse than a crime, leading to dragging on the war indefinitely, and forcing on an inconclusive peace. He believed tho British Empire would hist to the end of time, and London would always bo its capital. AIR FLEET BANQUET. The executive of the Imperial Air Fleet banqueted Sir J. G. Ward at tho Bath Club. Mr Massey and Sir Thomas Mackenzie were present. Sir J- C. Ward, responding to the toast of his health, referred to tho marvellous evolution in aviation during the past three years. The people wore impressed with what the Imperial Committee had clone to create interest in flying. Britishers must make up their minds that no combination of Powers shoud outvie them on sea or land on in the air. Ho was strongly impressed with tho necessity that responsible Ministers should visit tho overseas and thus help Empire defence. It, would be a great blunder, he said, to wait until peace came before they made up their minds what they were going to do in regard to trade matters. They must resolvo wdiat was to be done. The Empire could be made more self-contained and self-reliant than hitherto. Lord Desborough, in proposing tho health of Mr Massey, paid a tribute to New Zealand's encouragement of the Imperial air fleet. The committee could assure them that a largo public opinion was growing herp that the overseas must bo taken into consideration and their view T s considered. A movement was now on foot to consolidate this opinion. Mr Massey, in reply, said that undoubtedly the overseas must have a voice in Imperial affairs in future. Sir J. G. Ward, proposing the health of Mr M'Kenna at the Empire parliamentary function, thanked him for the consideration shown towards New Zealand. Mr Massey presided at the anniversary in connection with the Salvation Army women's social work. THE HIGH COMMTSSTONERSHTP. Tho question of an extension of the term of Sir Thomas Mnclcenzio as High Commissioner for New Zealand is being considered. It is understood that Sir J. G. Ward is likely to succeed to tho position, Sir T.

Mackenzie ultimately returning' to New Zealand and re entering politics. (Special from the Official War Correspondent under date November 8.) _Mr Massey and Sir J. G. Ward continued their tour along the western front, via Bethune and Arras, to the Somme. They visited captured German trenches and dugouts at La Boiselle, where there had been bitter lighting. Subsequently they lunched with Sir Douglas Haig, who pave them a cordial welcome. One of our largest aerodromes was inspected, and the Prime Minister went for a flight in a biplane. During a brief stay in Paris they called upon the President, the For. ign Minister, and the War Minister. Asked for a message In New Zealand, Mr Massey expressed delight at seeing :o many New /"aland troops at the front, and at the cheerful confidence with which they were imbued. Though it was impossible during the winter to prevent some discomfort and hardships, nothing that could bo accomplished in their interests was being left undone. Everywhere he board nothing but praise of their work, especially on the Somme. It was particularly piratifying to witness the presentation on the field of decorations for bravery and distinguished services. Tho highest authorities bad (old him that the Now Zealanders as a fighting force were second to none. Although there were undoubted signs of demoralisation in the German infantry it F.eemed likely that the war would continuefor a considerable time. The only way to make success certain and to prevent its dragging on for years was to keep up to the full the strength of its reinforcements. Though there was universal sorrow for the relatives of the fallen, the progress already made, in which the New Zealanders had played their part, was some consolation for the sacrifices, which had not been endured in vain. Sir J. G. Ward said he was prreatly impressed with his visit- to the front and tho privilege to cat her from personal observation some idea of the gigantic work undertaken by the British armies in the field. The visit to tho Somme made him marvel more than over at the wonderful accomplishment of our troops in the face of the tremendous obstacles created by the enemy during the period of two years. From conversations with hiirh authorities h" felfc satisfied that if was onlv a ouestion of time when the British and French troops would work risrht through the enemv lines. Thiss visit fo th" Somme bad esnecinlly impressed him 'with iho fortitude and cheerfulness of our pnlendid soldiers. TTo was doliglrtod to find the New Zealanders in such-good heart, so well ec]umry->d, and c o wel] cared for rronovallv. The cnVnritic. natnro of the undertaking was fnllv oxemolificd by tho enormous traffic and the woncWful ororauisntion behind the Imes as well a? at the front.